Don’t be fooled here – the only support Microsoft will extend are the anti-malware updates. If you’re still running XP after the April 8, 2014 deadline, you’re still at great risk. Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, and online technical content updates on Windows XP.
Now, instead of being 100% vulnerable to security threats, you may only be 75% exposed to threats when Microsoft turns off support. Don’t let this anti-malware support give you a false sense of security, and forget the sigh of relief. The safest, smartest move is to migrate your PCs off of XP before the April 8 deadline.
The fine print: Microsoft anti-malware support is extended to enterprise XP customers running System Center Endpoint Protection, Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection, and Windows Intune. XP anti-malware support for consumers is extended to users running Microsoft Security Essentials.
The latest reporting suggests about 30% of PCs are still running XP. This anti-malware extension appears to give some clients more time to migrate off of XP, but in reality those same clients gain little, even no comfort, when it comes to security.
Our message remains the same: Get off of Windows XP and onto either Windows 7 or 8.1 before the April 8, 2014 deadline, and be safe. Don’t let the extension of anti-malware support stall your efforts. Keep moving, get everything off of the XP OS.
Windows XP reached its final end-of-life on April 8, 2014. If your organization is still on Microsoft XP, you will no longer receive Service Packs, security patches, and support. It’s time to break up with XP. Click here to craft your exit strategy.
